Bureaucracy is the hotbed of corruption, says J’khand CS

Jharkhand’s new chief secretary Sajal Chakraborty says the biggest breeding grounds of corruption in the state are within the bureaucracy.

“Without mincing words, I have made it to clear to all my colleagues that nobody is indispensable,” Chakraborty told Hindustan Times.

“I can personally identify those who have stayed in one department for years and have developed roots like banyan trees. They now have flourishing businesses all over and are misusing their powers immensely for personal gain. Such people will soon be shifted out.”

Known for talking straight, Chakraborty was recently elevated to the post of chief secretary after his predecessor RS Sharma moved to Delhi to take charge as secretary of the Union information and technology department.

Chakraborty says no state department would be symbolised by any one individual anymore.

“If it is a transferable job, people will have to be shuffled now and then. Unfortunately, rotation of officials was not so effective in the past. Honest officials and whistle-blowers were being shunted out instead, and there was no transparency in posting,” he says.

The new chief secretary says he is determined to cleanse the system.

“I have nothing to lose. As long as I stay in office, I would like to keep the record straight and ensure that the bureaucracy puts 100% of its efforts into weeding out corruption and bringing in effective governance.”